Features EL Camino and Ranchero picture thread

We're looking forward to seeing you at Jalopyrama on the new date of Saturday, 22 August, 2020. We've got our fingers, toes, and eyes crossed that the new date will hold.

 

My ‘63 Ranchero with rare four spoke Cragars

 

Pontiac El Catalina prototype, 389ci & hydro
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/20...-pontiac-style-the-1959-el-catalina-prototype




Buick Elcamino

 

Were they actually called El Camino's , very nice anyway. JW

 

The Pontiac El Catalina is genuine whilst the Buick is a phantom, similar to Edsel Rancheros. There'd be other prototypes out these however I haven't looked

 

@ronzmtrwrx
That's really neat with the accompanying documentation. Just curious what the little badge below the 327 crossed flag emblem denotes. And any other details...

 

Misfires Club Brother Chad, doing a bang-up job on his ‘59 Chev’
Bought it off another member. Body off frame job, with 348/TH350 and full air bag suspension
Virtually rust free Texas truck
Will try and post some pictures




Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
View attachment 4662664

 

Those small badges are the GM Styling logo. When this thing left the assembly, it went directly to GM Engineering, where they installed the 365hp 327 and it was used as a test mule for that engine. When they were done, they pulled the 365hp engine and dropped in a 300hp 327. They sent the truck to GM Styling Department where it received its unique modifications to appear in the auto shows. There are several black and white factory photos in that binder that were obtained through contact with the Archivist at the GM Heritage Center, but I cannot publish those because they still own the rights to them. It still has the 300hp 327 that it left with as well as the 2 1/2” dump exh manifolds from the high horse engine. It’s a very interesting vehicle, to say the least.

 

Man that is very interesting, thanks. I find these kinds of test mule/styling exercises as treasures. I'm assuming it's equipped with an early 12 bolt? I'll bet it was a handful with that 327/365, Elco's not being the greatest in the traction dept to boot!

 

No, it has a 10 bolt positrac in it as the 12 bolt didn’t come out till 65. I too, would have thought they were testing the 12 bolt by then, and they may have, just not in this truck. There is an issue of HotRod magazine from 64 with a road test of a white 64 el camino with the 365hp 327 in it also. It looked stock on the inside and out with the exception of the engine. When I had this one raised up on the lift, I could see signs of previous tearing around the right upper rear end bar on the frame that had been re welded. I’m assuming that was done during testing.

 

Yea, I'll bet it saw some abuse during 'testing'. Sure is worthy of a complete & proper engine compartment refresh & detail, to put it firmly over the top! Super interesting piece, thanks for sharing it's story & keep us updated on any progress!

 

You should do a write up of this car. This is rare!!!!

 

I'll second that!

 

An early Ozzie El-Camino


And an early Ford Ranchero (Genuine)

 

I may do that. I wasn’t really sure where to post it. Maybe in the history area? I don’t want to clog this thread up with lots of details that might bore a lot of folks. I’ll see if my friend would be okay with all that. Stay tuned.